Tag Archives: KIA

Comparing the Kia Stinger GT and Audi A5 Sportback is monumental because up until Kia threw its own in the ring, there are only a few competitors in the four-door fastback category.

Kia Stinger

Although it was a latecomer, Kia was bold in its move, designing the four-door Stinger fastback with hood vents, tiger-nose grille, unique LED headlamps, and a throng of other athletic elements.

The Stinger also has a “jazzed up” wheels, a beautifully sloping roof, and a silver trim that runs along the windows to the rear of the vehicle. Turning to the rear, you’ll find that Kia fitted the Stinger with dual exhaust tailpipes, thin taillights, and angular vents.

Inside, you can expect a more premium feel for the Stinger GT. There’s Nappa leather seat covers, large touchscreen on top of the dash, and circular air vents reminiscent of a Mercedes.

Audi A5 Sportback

The Audi A5 Sportback, on the other hand, boasts of its spacious cargo area, which owners can access through a liftgate at the rear of the car. The rear seats can be folded down to further expand the already spacious cargo area.

On the outside, the Stinger GT trumps out the A5 Sportback’s reservations to be bold and more alluring that the A4. It shares the Stinger GT’s side vent near the front door, and the Sportback’s character lines aren’t as tamed as the ones on the Kia.

The interior is where the actual competition happens. Audi carved out more space for the cabin. It has better cargo space, leg room, and even shoulder room. The only element where Kia won over is the ample headroom, which is lacking in the A5 Sportback.

The dashboard is based on the MLB Evo platform. It includes the sat-nav as standard, though you can opt for the Virtual Cockpit. If only based on the dashboard, we have to choose the Sportback over the Stinger. There is no competition when it comes to Audi’s cockpit. It’s still the best in the market today.

During the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, Kia unveiled its 2018 Stinger. Not to be mistaken for the K900, the Stinger is much sleeker and sportier. There are no pricing details for the Stinger, but we’ll expect more details in the coming weeks.

Here are the three things we know about the auto so far based from a report:

1. It Is Getting Two Gasoline Options

In the United States, there are two gasoline options. In Europe, a diesel option may be made available. The decision to bring a diesel option to Europe is purely market based. Sorry, American buyers, the diesel option is not going to be brought to your shores.

The range-topping model is going to be the 3.3-liter V-6 engine that produces 365 horsepower, though there is also the entry-level engine—a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that churns out 255 horsepower. Standard to both models is the eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers will be able to choose between an all-wheel and a rear-wheel drive.

2. The Design Is Aggressive

The Stinger is not prototype Kia. At first glance, it might even look like an Alfa Romeo. The “tiger nose” grille was not the one that separates the Stinger from other sedans in the market. It’s that low stance and muscular proportions that effectively distinguishes this model from anything that Kia made before.

With 190.2 inches of length, it is 4.1 inches longer than one of its competitors, the Audi A4, and it is 5.7 inches longer than the Mercedes Benz C-Class. It also has an 114.4-inch wheelbase, which is longer than any of its competitors.

3. Generous Equipment Should Be Expected

The cabin is home to a number of technologies available in the South Korean market. It has a wireless device charging station, navigation, and 7.0-inch touchscreen. Safety features for the drivers include adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and a head-up display. For music lovers out there, you can opt for the Harman/Kardon audio system that has 15 speakers and subwoofers beneath the front seat.

It was supposed to be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, but months ahead of the scheduled launch, the South Korean automaker released the official photos of its 2017 Kia Picanto. The design of the all-new Picanto came from the ingenious minds of the teams in Namyang, South Korea and Frankfurt, Germany.

Such collaboration between the two teams made the 2017 Kia Picanto pleasing for the European market. Here are the top three features of the car based on our source:

1. Exterior

Much of the exterior and interior look better than its predecessor. We cannot be sure, however, if this will hold true for the lower-trim models. Kia just released photos of its top-of-the-line GT Line trim. Its sporty aesthetics conveys an assertive stance because of its well-sculpted features.

The dimensions are the same with the current model, though it’s getting a 15-millimeter longer wheelbase (0.59 inches). The assertive and dynamic styling was largely thanks to the positioning of the wheels in the corner.

2. Interior

The interior spacing has been updated, which is a mystery since the exterior dimensions stayed the same. But according to reports, the interior space of the 2017 Kia Picanto was a big surprise, and can rival the very best in the segment.

Aside from that, you’ll be surprised with what you see—from the dashboard to the in-car technology. The new dashboard has a tablet-style screen for the infotainment system, a digital display between the two instrument cluster dials, and the latest in-car technology that all passengers can enjoy. That means, the Apple CarPlay and the Android Auto, of course.

3. Powertrain

Kia has yet to release details about the new Picanto’s powertrains. But what we surely can expect are these: 1.0-liter turbocharged, three-cylinder engines that produces 100 horsepower while the other one churns out a pretty impressive 120 horsepower.

Pricing for the 2017 Kia Picanto is not available yet, but more details shall come as the Geneva Motor Show comes closer to launch.

If you’re excited about what’s in store for us in the new Kia Picanto, then you’re in for a treat. The South Korean automaker just released the first teaser sketches of the new generation Picanto, and it looks nothing like the current model.

Here are the top three things to watch out for in the 2017 Kia Picanto according to a report:

1. The Focus Is On The Younger Generation

It looks like the Picanto will have a “livelier” exterior that will attract the younger generation (millennials) more. The Picanto is Kia’s smallest car, a crucial segment in the auto industry because smaller sedans are usually the first cars for college students and young urbanites. This third-generation Picanto is coming out with a few surprises up its sleeve—for one, it will have a larger dimension and it will have a completely different design from the outside to the interiors.

2. More Enticing Than The Current Model

A few months ago, Kia introduced the new generation Rio subcompact, a truly critical phase for the brand because this is a fiercely competitive segment. Now that it’s ready to come out with the new Picanto, it came with guns blazing. The current Picanto is nothing to talk about, which makes the new one a future talk-of-the-town. Apparently, the new model is going to have a more dynamic A-segment model, which makes it more enticing than its predecessor.

3. A Mix And Match Of GT Line And Rio

The rendering of the new Picanto is a bit of a mix and match. On the exterior, it looks like the dual exhaust tips, bigger alloys, and fresh bumpers are based on the flagship GT Line version. Inside, the cabin is modeled after the 2017 Rio. Most noticeable in the cabin are the two circular instrument cluster dials and a digital round screen. Even the steering wheel looks similar to the same unit found in the Rio.

There should be a couple of power options—either an engine producing 100 horsepower or one that gives out 120 horsepower. If Kia wants to offer affordability, they can go to a naturally-aspirated gasoline engine options.

The production version of the 2018 Kia GT came back with an exciting new teaser that shows us more of what we can expect once it officially debuts next year.

Let’s jump to these three things all auto enthusiasts much watch out for:

1. It’s Going To Be A Liftback

Instead of the traditional body style, the 2018 Kia GT will have a liftback, according to the second teaser released. This means there’s going to be better cargo space at the back. It’s also a rear-wheel drive, so we can expect a slew of more adjustments and modifications in that aspect.

2. It’s The Fastest Kia Ever

This Kia will be able to go from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.1 seconds, making it the fastest vehicle the South Korean brand has ever made. The teaser showed the car being tested on the track beside the Namyang Research and Development Center in South Korea.

During a testing in Germany at Nurburgring, the model was able to reach 244 kph, although its official site said that it has a maximum speed of more than 280 kph. The first teaser, in fact, showed the speedometer needle go over the 280 kph line.

3. It’s Packing Four-Cylinder Gas And Diesel Engine

The production version GT will be available in a wide range of four-cylinder options that include gasoline and diesel options. The flagship will feature Kia’s biturbo 3.3-liter V-6 engine. This is a new unit fitted also in Hyundai’s Genesis-branded premium models. There, it can produce 365 horsepower max and 376 pound-feet of torque.

Entry versions of the 2018 Kia GT can arrive with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter that was the same one you can find under the hood of the 2017 Hyundai i30 N. This can produce 250 horsepower. The European market can receive a turbodiesel engine.

There are no pricing details released by the South Korean company, but expect the 2018 Kia GT to arrive under a different name at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January 8.

The Kia Soul First Class concept, which was specifically designed for the 2016 SEMA show, is taking autonomous technology to the next level by pairing it up with luxurious features such as rear facing front seats, a massive rear view screen, in-floor leg rests, and an elegant and comfortable cabin you’ll want to rest in.

Exterior

Kia tapped the resources of LUX Motorwerks to give the Soul a unique vision of what’s in the future for SUVs and crossovers. The first step is to bathe the Soul in LUX Electric Blue finish from top to bottom. Then, they also put LED lights that give a mysterious blue glow on the upper and lower grille.

The concept’s Rotiform Monoblock CCV 19-inch wheels are also fitted in Continental all-season tires. The backgrounds of the Kia emblems on the exterior are also painted LUX Electric Blue while the “Kia” lettering remains black. The headlights are getting the same LUX Electric Blue treatment as accents.

Interior

This is called Soul First Class for a reason. The interior is so luxurious it can make you think you’re inside a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce. What modifications this concept lacked outside, it more than makes up for what you can find inside.

What LUX did was to strip off everything out of the cabin and start on a clean canvass. The rear seats now face the back of the car while a new console was installed between the two seats. Each of the passengers will have access to a tablet device that can control and monitor every aspect of the vehicle.

The seats are made with gray leather with diamond stitching while the floor has been equipped with a modern gray wood, giving off that feel of class and luxury. In the rear, you’ll be able to see an entertainment center installed to that floor that has a Mac Mini computer.

Drivetrain

There are no chassis or drivetrain upgrades, but it is expected to have a 1.6-liter, all-aluminum, four-banger that can produce 130 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque. Higher models can offer 164 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque from a 2.0-liter engine.

Kia is carrying their five-door sedan for the 2017 model year with a few minor enhancements, including the new red and black color exteriors for the LX trim.

According to the company news site, the Kia Rio 2017 five-door sedan has three variants, so far—LX, EX, and SX. Excluding an $850 destination charge, the LX is priced at $15,495, the EX at $17,905, and the SX at $20,905. All the variants will carry an engine that is coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission that can produce 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque.

EPA estimated Kia’s five-door sedan to have the ratings 27/36/30 for city/highway/combined for all variants. As for dimensions, the overall length of the five-door sedan is 159.4 inches, the overall width is 67.7 inches, the overall height is 57.3 inches and the wheelbase has 101.2 inches.

It has a maximum cargo capacity of 49.8 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded without a luggage under tray, and 47.1 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded with luggage under tray. As for the curb weight, the LX is at 2,564 lbs., the EX is at 2,601 lbs., and the SX is at 2,732 lbs.

For 2017, the five-door Kia sedan continues to be the smallest and most economical model that can deliver a combination of world-class styling, fuel economy, advanced technologies, and good value.

The hatchback will be receiving design upgrades in the form of Kia’s signature tiger nose grille and wider, thinner body structure. The LED lights have also been redesigned with a U-shape for the headlights and an arrow design for the taillights.

Production for this new sedan from Kia will begin at the end of 2016 for overseas markets. Release dates for the United States have yet to be determined, so check back again for more details on that.

Reports have it that Korean auto maker Kia is working on a sleek sports sedan with a rear-wheel drive. This was apparently first featured in 2011 in the form of the Kia GT concept. Oh, how time flies.

It now carries the codename CK, and has recently been spotted on the back of a truck. Sources said it is set to make its debut later this year at the 2016 Paris Auto Show in September.

Until recent reports that reveal it might carry the Stinger name, this particular Kia was called a GT. Is the revelation that it will be named Stinger a confirmation that the GT would be a sports car performance-wise? After all, Kia used the name Stinger for its sports car concept in 2014.

That particular sports car was ruled out for production because of a low demand, but elements of it—the design and apparently, the name—will be featured on this sedan.

This GT or Stinger is based on the platform used on the Genesis G80 and the G90 sedans. One of the available powertrains for that platform is the twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 fitted in the Genesis sedans. That can produce 365 horsepower. Customers can choose between 4- or 6-cylinder engines.

Whatever it will be called, this new Kia is slated to be a part of the 2018 lineup for the Korean brand. It will fit somewhere in the middle of the Cadenza and the K900, and would compete with style-led sedans such as the Audi A7 and the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The Kia, of course, will be way cheaper.

Cheap cars are the centerfold of Kia’s business model. Though this was a successful strategy at first, Kia and sister company Hyundai are experiencing declining profits amid increasing sales. The new strategy seems to be targeting more profitable segments, such as the one where this new Kia will fit.

Kia Soul has been highly popular the past years. Although I am personally not a fan of the bodystyle and there are extreme reactions to it among the auto industry experts, it was certainly one of Kia’s most popular models.

In fact, the only thing more popular than the Soul is the commercials Kia has produced for the incoming hatchback. Aside from the catchy hit songs that they used, the commercials also featured hamsters (which Kia tagged as Hamstars). Can anything be cuter than that?

The latest commercial is now out and it’s full of the same things—catchy song and Hamstars. But what specifically is being talked about right now is the “wink” at the end of the commercial, hinting of the possibility of a turbocharged Soul hatchback.

An overview of the current Soul lineup was also shown at the end of the video. The lineup included the regular gasoline-powered model, the electric model and a “turbo” version. Kia teased that all of these will be arriving just in time for Winter 2016.

We’ve heard rumors that Kia has been planning a turbocharged Soul hatchback for years. So far, this is the first evidence of those plans, and it’s just in time for a change in the Soul’s performance and power.

As for the bodystyle, many experts have always raved about the Soul’s standout styling, roomy interior and useful in-car technology. That’s not to mention that the Soul is nicely priced.

But what it does lack is more power and better performance on the road. The current Soul has either a gas-powered 130-hp 1.6-liter or a 164-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the latter offered only with automatic transmission.

What are we expecting? Kia currently has a 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo four on the Forte5. If that would be used to turbocharge the hatchback, we’re sure it will add a bit of pep, complete with either a manual or dual-clutch auto transmission.

The 2016 New York International Auto Show highlighted a slew of budget sedans and SUVs that would revamp market availabilities, targets and demands in the following months. One of the most anticipated confirmations is Kia’s 2017 Cadenza.

The brand has finally gives a glimpse of what’s new with the 2017 Kia Cadenza during the New York Auto Show. It can be recalled that the company revealed that the car will arrive in US shores later this year.

The car was first offered to Americans in 2013, so it’s not exactly old, but changes are forthcoming and much needed amid a society of automobile enthusiasts constantly needing upgrades, not to mention options for fuel economy.

The big sedan is related to the Azera, made by sister company Hyundai. It sports the same 3.3-liter V-6 and front-wheel drive setup currently in the outgoing model. The use of the same drive setup is not really surprising, although we expected more from this upgrade—preferably a smaller and more fuel-efficient engine.

The new Cadenza will also replace its current 6-speed automatic with the new 8-speed automatic transmission that promises to improve fuel economy.

If it follows the schedule, the new Kia Cadenza will be the first one from the brand to use the front-wheel and 8-speed auto transmission combination. We’re expecting that combination to be a platform for other future Kia vehicles, although the company has yet to confirm that.

Although it’s looking like the new Cadenza will be more fuel efficient than the current one in the market, Kia did not give any details to how economic it will be. Experts said it’ll be a slight improvement from the 19 mpg city, 28 highway and 22 combined from the current car. Here’s hoping the 2017 Cadenza will breach the 30 mpg threshold.

Outside, the Cadenza will have the same design as the one that debuted last November in Korea. It has a European-inspired exterior while the interior has light updates.

Contact Details

Personnel

As a website which offers news and reviews on the car industry, we rely entirely on the quality of people that create this website. The team at reviewitonline is comprised of editors, bloggers, technical experts and reviewers with a passion for cars.